Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com June 26, 2017 • Hartford Business Journal 9 a high-end experience when it opened in the Front Street Entertainment District in 2013, Paletta said. It was also the first in the chain to sell alcohol. The on-site bar-restaurant, the Front Street Bistro, features sandwiches, salads, appetizers and entrees with a Mediterranean flair. Although more Greater Hartford movie theaters are selling food these days (national theater-chain giant AMC is rolling out a new menu at its Plainville 20 theater this summer, featuring flatbread pizzas, cheeseburger slid- ers, all-beef hot dogs and chicken and waffle sandwiches), Paletta maintains none match the menu items at Spotlight. "Some have tried but typically it's not a full kitchen like we have," he said. "People can eat in the restaurant and take their food into the auditorium as well." He said the theater also hosts between 60 and 100 corporate events a year, and is look- ing to offer space to UConn for classes when it opens its Hartford campus this fall. "It's a perfect environment. You've got plenty of seats, digital and sound equipment, and food as well," he said. At Parkade, Davis is trying to cre- ate buzz with special events like karaoke nights, paint nights, classic movie days and sing-a-long screenings of "Grease" and the "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Like Spot- light, Parkade also rents its auditoriums for private events. "We're more than just a movie theater," he said. "We're making it more of an entertain- ment facility all around." Deeper pockets, bigger upgrades While small theaters like Spotlight and Parkade are diversifying, large chains like AMC and Cinemark, with deeper pockets, are pour- ing millions of dollars into physical and techni- cal upgrades. AMC Plainville 20 underwent a major renovation and converted to reclining seats in late 2015, and Cinemark's Buckland Hills 18 in Manchester will convert to recliners later this year, Cinemark spokesman James Meredith said via email. Picture Show at Berlin in Kensington, a former Starplex theater now owned by Pic- ture Show Entertainment, began a renova- tion of its 12 auditoriums in April, which includes a conversion to recliners, according to the theater's website. AMC was the first to experiment with reclining seats in Seattle in 2010, and the risk has paid off, said spokesman Ryan Noonan. Today, around 200 of the chain's 600 the- aters nationwide, including Plainville, have undergone "like-new" renovations, which include recliners, he said. "There were a lot of folks in the indus- try who didn't think it would work. For- ever the industry was focused on getting as many people (into a theater) as you can, as opposed to focusing on the guest experience itself," he said. Although recliner seating often means losing 50 to 60 percent of seats in a building, Noonan said attendance typically increases by 40 to 60 percent. "Guest reception was so amazing that the industry had no choice but to take notice," he said. "You can go into any market in Ameri- ca now and you're going to find at least one movie theater with recliners." According to the IBISWorld report, con- sumers were willing to pay for an upgraded experience thanks to an increase in dispos- able income over the last five years. It predicts that trend will continue through 2022, although the advantage will be partially offset by fiercer competition from online streaming. Noonan said ticket prices at AMC theaters tend to rise by $1 to $2 after a renovation, due to increased demand. At Cinemark's new top- of-the-line NextGen theater in North Haven, an adult weekend ticket to a 3D XD movie, which includes enhanced digital surround sound, an oversized, wall-to-wall screen, and luxury recliners, is $15.25. Spotlight's Paletta said people have predict- ed the demise of movie theaters every time a new technology is released, from VCRs to Blue- Ray players, and yet the industry survives. "You'll never get that same experience at home that you get in a multimillion-dollar facility," Paletta said. "Sitting in an auditori- um with 200 people being scared or startled or laughing all at the same time — you just don't get that anywhere else." n To view the full list, please visit HartfordBusiness.com THE LIST Largest entertainment & sporting venues in Connecticut (Ranked by estimated 2016 attendance) Rank Venue 2016 attendance Employees/ Volunteers Profit or nonprofit Description Top executive Year founded 1 Foxwoods Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT 06338 800-369-9663; www.foxwoods.com 12,719,466 (1) 6,500 0 Profit Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, golf, spa and hotel Felix D. Rappaport 1992 2 Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT 06382 888-226-7711; mohegansun.com 9,000,000 6,800 Profit Entertainment, gaming, dining, shopping, hotel, spa, meetings and conventions Ray Pineault 1996 3 XL Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 860-249-6333; www.xlcenter.com 800,000 NA Profit Hosts Hartford Wolf Pack, UConn basketball, concerts and family entertainment Chris Lawrence 1977 4 Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-5955; www.mysticaquarium.org 718,993 292 465 Nonprofit Underwater worlds and creatures including beluga whales, penguins and more; interactive experiences, exhibits and animal adventures Stephen M. Coan 1973 5 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 10 N. Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org 485,313 127 310 Nonprofit Exhibits, sharks, seals, sea turtles, jellyfish, river otters and other animals native to Long Island Sound and its watershed; study cruises, educational programs and IMAX movie theater Brian Davis 1988 6 The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-987-5900; www.bushnell.org 350,000 55 600 Nonprofit Two performance halls and multiple public event spaces, more than 450 events annually, Broadway tours, symphonies, family entertainment, concerts, local arts and community events David R. Fay 1929 7 XFINITY Theatre 61 Savitt Way Hartford, CT 06120 203-269-8721; www.livenation.com 334,719 685 0 Profit Indoor-outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of more than 24,000 Jim Koplik 1995 8 Connecticut Science Center 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org 303,000 91 84 Nonprofit Science-based museum, educational and tourism venue Matt J. Fleury 2009 9 Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org 285,000 350 600 Nonprofit Maritime museum featuring historic tall ships, a working preservation shipyard, recreated seafaring village, exhibits and more Stephen C. White 1929 10 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 203-394-6565; www.beardsleyzoo.org 280,000 40 120 Nonprofit Three-hundred animals representing primarily North and South American species; South American rain forest with aviary, prairie dog exhibit, farmyard; hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, cafe, picnic grove, indoor carousel Gregg Dancho 1922 11 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 205 E. Thompson Road Thompson, CT 06277 860-923-2280; www.thompsonspeedway.com 235,000 NA Profit NASCAR short track racing featuring modified, late model, limited sportsman and mini-stock divisions; facility includes a 1.7-mile road course hosting sports car and motorcycle events Jonathan Hoenig Donald J. Hoenig 1940 12 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 615 Silver Lane East Hartford, CT 06118 860-610-4700; www.rentschlerfield.com 220,000 NA Profit Hosts University of Connecticut football as well as concerts, international soccer matches, and family entertainment and exhibitions Chris Lawrence 2003 12 Quassy Amusement & Waterpark 2132 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-758-2913; www.quassy.com 220,000 NA Profit Family amusement and waterpark on Lake Quassapaug with more than two-dozen rides and attractions George Frantzis II 1908 14 Dodd Stadium 14 Stott Ave. Norwich, CT 06360 860-887-7962; cttigers.com 205,000 150 0 Profit Single-A minor league baseball team of the Detroit Tigers C.J. Knudsen Dave Schermerhor 1995 (2) 15 Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre 95 S. Turnpike Road 35 Year-round concert venue and event space for Largest entertainment & sporting venues in Connecticut (Ranked by estimated 2016 attendance) Rank Venue 2016 attendance Employees/ Volunteers Profit or nonprofit Description Top executive Year founded 1 Foxwoods Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT 06338 800-369-9663; www.foxwoods.com 12,719,466 (1) 6,500 0 Profit Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, golf, spa and hotel Felix D. Rappaport 1992 2 Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT 06382 888-226-7711; mohegansun.com 9,000,000 6,800 Profit Entertainment, gaming, dining, shopping, hotel, spa, meetings and conventions Ray Pineault 1996 3 XL Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 860-249-6333; www.xlcenter.com 800,000 NA Profit Hosts Hartford Wolf Pack, UConn basketball, concerts and family entertainment Chris Lawrence 1977 4 Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-5955; www.mysticaquarium.org 718,993 292 465 Nonprofit Underwater worlds and creatures including beluga whales, penguins and more; interactive experiences, exhibits and animal adventures Stephen M. Coan 1973 5 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 10 N. Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org 485,313 127 310 Nonprofit Exhibits, sharks, seals, sea turtles, jellyfish, river otters and other animals native to Long Island Sound and its watershed; study cruises, educational programs and IMAX movie theater Brian Davis 1988 6 The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-987-5900; www.bushnell.org 350,000 55 600 Nonprofit Two performance halls and multiple public event spaces, more than 450 events annually, Broadway tours, symphonies, family entertainment, concerts, local arts and community events David R. Fay 1929 7 XFINITY Theatre 61 Savitt Way Hartford, CT 06120 203-269-8721; www.livenation.com 334,719 685 0 Profit Indoor-outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of more than 24,000 Jim Koplik 1995 8 Connecticut Science Center 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org 303,000 91 84 Nonprofit Science-based museum, educational and tourism venue Matt J. Fleury 2009 9 Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org 285,000 350 600 Nonprofit Maritime museum featuring historic tall ships, a working preservation shipyard, recreated seafaring village, exhibits and more Stephen C. White 1929 10 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 203-394-6565; www.beardsleyzoo.org 280,000 40 120 Nonprofit Three-hundred animals representing primarily North and South American species; South American rain forest with aviary, prairie dog exhibit, farmyard; hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, cafe, picnic grove, indoor carousel Gregg Dancho 1922 11 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 205 E. Thompson Road Thompson, CT 06277 860-923-2280; www.thompsonspeedway.com 235,000 NA Profit NASCAR short track racing featuring modified, late model, limited sportsman and mini-stock divisions; facility includes a 1.7-mile road course hosting sports car and motorcycle events Jonathan Hoenig Donald J. Hoenig 1940 12 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 615 Silver Lane East Hartford, CT 06118 860-610-4700; www.rentschlerfield.com 220,000 NA Profit Hosts University of Connecticut football as well as concerts, international soccer matches, and family entertainment and exhibitions Chris Lawrence 2003 12 Quassy Amusement & Waterpark 2132 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-758-2913; www.quassy.com 220,000 NA Profit Family amusement and waterpark on Lake Quassapaug with more than two-dozen rides and attractions George Frantzis II 1908 14 Dodd Stadium 14 Stott Ave. Norwich, CT 06360 860-887-7962; cttigers.com 205,000 150 0 Profit Single-A minor league baseball team of the Detroit Tigers C.J. Knudsen Dave Schermerhor 1995 (2) 15 Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre 95 S. Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-8721; specialevents.livenation.com 176,649 35 0 NA Year-round concert venue and event space for graduations, weddings, parties, proms, galas, meetings and more Natalie Krohn 1954 16 Goodspeed Musicals 6 Main St. East Haddam, CT 06423 860-873-8668; www.goodspeed.org 130,000 250 83 NA Three musicals produced each year at the Opera House in East Haddam and additional productions at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester Michael Gennaro 1963 17 Hartford Stage Co. 50 Church St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-527-5151; www.hartfordstage.org 117,543 73 274 Nonprofit Tony award-winning theater producing six main-stage productions and "A Christmas Carol" Michael Stotts Darko Tresnjak 1964 18 Shubert Theatre 247 College St. New Haven, CT 06510 203-624-1825; www.shubert.com 112,418 12 260 Nonprofit Presents Broadway, dance, opera, cabaret and family entertainment John Fisher 1914 19 Lime Rock Park 60 White Hollow Road Lakeville, CT 06039 860-435-5000; www.limerock.com 104,000 28 230 Profit Major races include IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, Pirelli World Challenge, SCCA and Historic Festival; track days, manufacturer days, winter autocross, summer autocross, charity events, bicycle and running events, July 4th fireworks Skip Barber Georgia Blades Steven Sewell 1957 20 Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts 2132 Hillside Road Storrs, CT 06269 860-486-4226; www.jorgensen.uconn.edu 100,000 72 40 Nonprofit Multi-disciplinary program with internationally and nationally acclaimed artists and ensembles ranging from classical music and dance to jazz, comedy and popular entertainment, campus events and conferences Rodney Rock 1955 20 The Ridgefield Playhouse 80 E. Ridge St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-438-5795; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org 100,000 45 12 Nonprofit The Playhouse presents national and local acts and is the cultural hub for the town of Ridgefield Allison Stockel 2000 20 The Warner Theatre 68 Main St. Torrington, CT 06790 860-489-7180; www.warnertheatre.org 100,000 (3) 30 (4) 800 Nonprofit Former movie palace now hosting more than 170 performances, including family entertainment and national performing artists, performing arts school, 300-seat black box theater and 8,000-square-foot costume shop Lynn Gelormino 1931 23 Infinity Music Hall & Bistro 32 Front St. Hartford, CT 06103 866-666-6306; InfinityHall.com 75,000 50 25 Profit Music and dining destination in the Front St. Entertainment District Dan Hincks Peter Turner 2014 24 Dinosaur State Park 400 West St. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 860-529-5816; www.dinosaurstatepark.org 48,378 2 50 NA Five hundred Jurassic period dinosaur tracks housed under the exhibit center's geodesic dome Meg Enkler 1966 25 Dunkin' Donuts Park 1214 Main St. Hartford, CT 06106 860-246-GOAT; yardgoatsbaseball.com 0 (5) 350 0 Profit State-of-the-art venue and home to the Hartford Yard Goats, a Double-A baseball team affiliated with the Colorado Rockies Tim Restall 2016 Source: Each venue via survey. Notes: NA = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol does not disclose attendance. Unable to confirm data for Bridgeport's Webster Bank arena, which posted annual attendance of 750,000 visitors in 2015. (1) Attendance at the Fox and Grand Theaters was approximately 467,000, and is included in the total figure. (2) Connecticut Tigers 2010. (3) Includes events not ticketed. (4) Eleven full-time employees. (5) Home opener, at the brand new Dunkin' Donuts Park, was April 13, 2017. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher. Largest entertainment & sporting venues in Connecticut (Ranked by estimated 2016 attendance) Rank Venue 2016 attendance Employees/ Volunteers Profit or nonprofit Description Top executive Year founded 1 Foxwoods Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Blvd. Mashantucket, CT 06338 800-369-9663; www.foxwoods.com 12,719,466 (1) 6,500 0 Profit Hospitality, entertainment, gaming, retail, dining, golf, spa and hotel Felix D. Rappaport 1992 2 Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT 06382 888-226-7711; mohegansun.com 9,000,000 6,800 Profit Entertainment, gaming, dining, shopping, hotel, spa, meetings and conventions Ray Pineault 1996 3 XL Center 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, CT 06103 860-249-6333; www.xlcenter.com 800,000 NA Profit Hosts Hartford Wolf Pack, UConn basketball, concerts and family entertainment Chris Lawrence 1977 4 Mystic Aquarium 55 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-5955; www.mysticaquarium.org 718,993 292 465 Nonprofit Underwater worlds and creatures including beluga whales, penguins and more; interactive experiences, exhibits and animal adventures Stephen M. Coan 1973 5 The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk 10 N. Water St. Norwalk, CT 06854 203-852-0700; www.maritimeaquarium.org 485,313 127 310 Nonprofit Exhibits, sharks, seals, sea turtles, jellyfish, river otters and other animals native to Long Island Sound and its watershed; study cruises, educational programs and IMAX movie theater Brian Davis 1988 6 The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford, CT 06106 860-987-5900; www.bushnell.org 350,000 55 600 Nonprofit Two performance halls and multiple public event spaces, more than 450 events annually, Broadway tours, symphonies, family entertainment, concerts, local arts and community events David R. Fay 1929 7 XFINITY Theatre 61 Savitt Way Hartford, CT 06120 203-269-8721; www.livenation.com 334,719 685 0 Profit Indoor-outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of more than 24,000 Jim Koplik 1995 8 Connecticut Science Center 250 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, CT 06103 860-724-3623; www.ctsciencecenter.org 303,000 91 84 Nonprofit Science-based museum, educational and tourism venue Matt J. Fleury 2009 9 Mystic Seaport 75 Greenmanville Ave. Mystic, CT 06355 860-572-0711; www.mysticseaport.org 285,000 350 600 Nonprofit Maritime museum featuring historic tall ships, a working preservation shipyard, recreated seafaring village, exhibits and more Stephen C. White 1929 10 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo 1875 Noble Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06610 203-394-6565; www.beardsleyzoo.org 280,000 40 120 Nonprofit Three-hundred animals representing primarily North and South American species; South American rain forest with aviary, prairie dog exhibit, farmyard; hoofstock trail featuring bison, pronghorn, deer, cafe, picnic grove, indoor carousel Gregg Dancho 1922 11 Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park 205 E. Thompson Road Thompson, CT 06277 860-923-2280; www.thompsonspeedway.com 235,000 NA Profit NASCAR short track racing featuring modified, late model, limited sportsman and mini-stock divisions; facility includes a 1.7-mile road course hosting sports car and motorcycle events Jonathan Hoenig Donald J. Hoenig 1940 12 Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field 615 Silver Lane East Hartford, CT 06118 860-610-4700; www.rentschlerfield.com 220,000 NA Profit Hosts University of Connecticut football as well as concerts, international soccer matches, and family entertainment and exhibitions Chris Lawrence 2003 12 Quassy Amusement & Waterpark 2132 Middlebury Road Middlebury, CT 06762 203-758-2913; www.quassy.com 220,000 NA Profit Family amusement and waterpark on Lake Quassapaug with more than two-dozen rides and attractions George Frantzis II 1908 14 Dodd Stadium 14 Stott Ave. Norwich, CT 06360 860-887-7962; cttigers.com 205,000 150 0 Profit Single-A minor league baseball team of the Detroit Tigers C.J. Knudsen Dave Schermerhor 1995 (2) 15 Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre 95 S. Turnpike Road Wallingford, CT 06492 203-269-8721; specialevents.livenation.com 176,649 35 0 NA Year-round concert venue and event space for graduations, weddings, parties, proms, galas, meetings and more Natalie Krohn 1954 16 Goodspeed Musicals 6 Main St. East Haddam, CT 06423 860-873-8668; www.goodspeed.org 130,000 250 83 NA Three musicals produced each year at the Opera House in East Haddam and additional productions at the Norma Terris Theatre in Chester Michael Gennaro 1963 17 Hartford Stage Co. 50 Church St. Hartford, CT 06103 860-527-5151; www.hartfordstage.org 117,543 73 274 Nonprofit Tony award-winning theater producing six main-stage productions and "A Christmas Carol" Michael Stotts Darko Tresnjak 1964 18 Shubert Theatre 247 College St. New Haven, CT 06510 203-624-1825; www.shubert.com 112,418 12 260 Nonprofit Presents Broadway, dance, opera, cabaret and family entertainment John Fisher 1914 19 Lime Rock Park 60 White Hollow Road Lakeville, CT 06039 860-435-5000; www.limerock.com 104,000 28 230 Profit Major races include IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, Pirelli World Challenge, SCCA and Historic Festival; track days, manufacturer days, winter autocross, summer autocross, charity events, bicycle and running events, July 4th fireworks Skip Barber Georgia Blades Steven Sewell 1957 20 Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts 2132 Hillside Road Storrs, CT 06269 860-486-4226; www.jorgensen.uconn.edu 100,000 72 40 Nonprofit Multi-disciplinary program with internationally and nationally acclaimed artists and ensembles ranging from classical music and dance to jazz, comedy and popular entertainment, campus events and conferences Rodney Rock 1955 20 The Ridgefield Playhouse 80 E. Ridge St. Ridgefield, CT 06877 203-438-5795; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org 100,000 45 12 Nonprofit The Playhouse presents national and local acts and is the cultural hub for the town of Ridgefield Allison Stockel 2000 20 The Warner Theatre 68 Main St. Torrington, CT 06790 860-489-7180; www.warnertheatre.org 100,000 (3) 30 (4) 800 Nonprofit Former movie palace now hosting more than 170 performances, including family entertainment and national performing artists, performing arts school, 300-seat black box theater and 8,000-square-foot costume shop Lynn Gelormino 1931 23 Infinity Music Hall & Bistro 32 Front St. Hartford, CT 06103 866-666-6306; InfinityHall.com 75,000 50 25 Profit Music and dining destination in the Front St. Entertainment District Dan Hincks Peter Turner 2014 24 Dinosaur State Park 400 West St. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 860-529-5816; www.dinosaurstatepark.org 48,378 2 50 NA Five hundred Jurassic period dinosaur tracks housed under the exhibit center's geodesic dome Meg Enkler 1966 25 Dunkin' Donuts Park 1214 Main St. Hartford, CT 06106 860-246-GOAT; yardgoatsbaseball.com 0 (5) 350 0 Profit State-of-the-art venue and home to the Hartford Yard Goats, a Double-A baseball team affiliated with the Colorado Rockies Tim Restall 2016 Source: Each venue via survey. Notes: NA = not available or not applicable. Lake Compounce of Bristol does not disclose attendance. Unable to confirm data for Bridgeport's Webster Bank arena, which posted annual attendance of 750,000 visitors in 2015. (1) Attendance at the Fox and Grand Theaters was approximately 467,000, and is included in the total figure. (2) Connecticut Tigers 2010. (3) Includes events not ticketed. (4) Eleven full-time employees. (5) Home opener, at the brand new Dunkin' Donuts Park, was April 13, 2017. —Compiled by Stephanie R. Meagher. Who's Going to the Movies? Below is a breakdown of what age groups contribute to the $16.7 billion in annual revenues earned by U.S. movie theaters. AMC has renovated many of its movie theaters, including one in Plainville, with recliners. Movie Theaters S O U R C E : I B I S W O R L D 14% 22% 27% 37% Consumers aged 18 to 24 Consumers aged 40 and older Consumers aged 25 to 39 Consumers aged 17 and younger P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D

• Cover